Here we are again then, another week brings another mixed bag of releases; like a sack full of unwanted kittens, each one hoping to avoid the deep, cold waters of public indifference. First out of the sack we have:

One More Chance: Bloc Party
The pounding 4/4 kick drum and balearic piano is just crying out for a Weatherall remix but instead of twisting your melons Bloc Party opt to twist the knife with a gloomy Numanesque synth chorus. Could be a rousing festival favourite. (SB)

Animal: Miike Snow
Debut oddity from Swedish oddballs which creates a vibe not unlike Peter Gabriel fronting the Hold Steady. How my heart yearns for a time when such perfectly odd pop tunes can make it into the higher reaches of the chart again. Look out for the forthcoming album in the autumn, on this evidence it could be special. (SB)

Breathing Underwater: Ghostlight
Relentlessly jaunty indiepop which follows a blueprint almost worn thin by James in the post baggy era. Trumpets, swooning and huge choruses combine to create a not unpleasant racket. Coldplay beware. (SB)

Dolores O'Riordan - The Journey
Ex-Cranberries front lady Dolores O'Riordan has gone solo, and the first single off her second lone album is a perfect slice of Irish pop which for Cranberries fans is certainly a must buy. While vocally she hasn't moved on from her time in the group, The Journey proves that she's still got what it takes. Highly recommended. (CP)



Calvin Harris - Ready for the Weekend
Following the massive smash of 'Acceptable in the 80's' and 'I'm Not Alone' with the far more chilled Ready for the Weekend. Leaving behind some of the dance pretentions of the previous singles, ups the camp, and at the same time loses something of their catchiness. The drum n bass remix adds that missing something, but it’s not the lead track. (CP)

Paolo Nutini - Coming Up Easy
Paolo, what happened? Your previous album and singles were irritatingly catchy and often inoffensive to the ears, but now you're just irritating. Coming Up Easy sounds like something that a tribute act would put together - it has something of the old Nutini sound, but none of the (limited) charm. (CP)

Flo Rida (featuring Nelly Furtado) - Jump
More average rap from Flo Rida with repetative accompanying vocals from Furtado being the only thing of note (and that's only because it doesn't sound like her). There are more talented rap artists than Flo Rida and this is nothing to shout about, even in his limited catalogue. (CP)

Karl Culley - Bundle of Nerves
Much like John, I let out a bit of a groan every time a CD arrives on my doormat with an attached press release talking about the latest great singer-songwriter. Thankfully, Karl Culley has that little extra spark that makes me not want to use his CD as my latest coaster. His guitar playing has more zip and a faster tempo to it than most singer-songwriters which makes this effort a definite stayer in my stereo for whenever I feel I don't have enough folk, the genre not general people, in my life. (IS)

Brigada Mercy - Recovering Catholic/Roto Chico
The less said about this double A-side effort from Brigada Mercy, the better. The press release mentions that the band were formed from the ashes of a previous band and after enduring both songs, I can't help but wish that they didn't employ the 'if at first you don't succeed, try and try again' method. The vocals are quite frankly awful, not 'impassioned' like the press release believes, and there are just no memorable hooks into either effort. Recovering Catholic? You might need to recover with some decent music if you decide to listen to this. (IS)

Charlie Winston - In Your Hands
Going by this chap's MySpace, his influences (Tom Waits, Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen) are perhaps a little different to those of his peers. This offering is a bit jazzy, a bit quirky, but could do with going that bit further. (JD)

John Mullin - Always on the outside of EP
Whenever I receive a single from a male singer-songwriter I've never heard of, my heart admittedly sinks a little as I ask myself whether we need another one. John Mullin, however, makes for a pleasant surprise, possessing a rather fine indie-folk voice which may well see him break ahead of the pack. Add in such details as pretty steel guitar on She's Like The Night and some subtle female backing vocals and you have a man perhaps worth putting a bet on. (JD)

So there you have it people, certainly a couple of new tracks worthy of further investigation there. That’s everything almost wrapped up for the week, all that is left to do is to identify the father of Michael Jackson’s kids and, of course, to fire up the spotlight and shine it upon this week’s Music Fix Single of the Week – which is...




Cell Mates: Mariachi el Bronx
I once had the dubious pleasure of encountering the Bronx at a club gig, an experience akin to being trapped in a lift with Henry Rollins and Slayer turned up to 11. This, therefore, is an unexpected turn of events which sees the hardcore punks perform an apparently irony free mariachi ballad complete with horns and strings. Like an early Cliff Richard single, this is endearingly charming. These amps go to 9, one quieter. (SB)

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